What victory for India! They now have won nine games in a row which is the longest joint-longest winning streak for them in ODIs. Take a bow, Pandya! You can talk about the Kohli's the Dhoni's but it this young man is something else. An excellent innings by him. He was promoted up the order at No. 4 and not only played a brilliant game but ensured India were inches away from victory before he got out. Now coming back to the chase - The Indian team never looked in trouble due to the sublime opening partnership between Rohit and Ajinkya with both scoring a half-century each. They lost the two in quick succession but Pandya along with Pandey and Kohli ensured there were no further hiccups. The Australian bowling was flat and looked clueless. They had no answer for the brilliant batting display by the Indian top order. They did manage to provide a scare by picking a few quick wickets but it was never going to be enough in the end. Also, their fielding was quite poor with Handscomb who is not their regular keeper dropping Rohit and Smith their captain dropping Pandya which in the end proved to be their downfall. (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA VS AUSTRALIA, 3RD ODI IN INDORE
INDIA Innings
21.45 IST: That is it from us for this game! India have managed to clinch the series and in some fashion. Australia have not been up to the mark in this series and they would now hope to win the next two fixtures and salvage some pride. The next game will be played on the 28th of September in Bengaluru at 0800 GMT (1330 local time). Till then, goodbye and cheers!
21.42 IST: Man of the Match, Hardik Pandya says that he would have liked to finish it off but is happy with his contribution. Mentions that a promotion up the order was not a surprise but an opportunity for him to do well. States that he wanted to target the left-arm spinner. Adds that he settled in and played the big shots. Feels that there is always a scope of improvement. Ends by saying that he wants to keep contributing with the ball as well.
21.38 IST: Indian skipper, Virat Kohli says the wicket was really good to bat on. He admits it was a 330-340 wicket. He credits the bowlers for standing up when they wanted them to. Mentions the wrist spinners need to be backed and they will give you wickets. He reckons Australia were 25-30 runs short. Appreciates Hardik Pandya for his knock. Calls him a star and acknowledges that he was something they were missing - a strong hitter who can contribute with the ball. He informs the idea of promoting Pandya was of their coach Ravi Shastri. Ends by saying they might try some new players but the mindset remains the same.
21.35 IST: Australia skipper, Steven Smith says that he thought that they set it up nicely but failed to finish their innings well. Credits the Indians bowlers for executing their plans. Feels that a score above 330 would have been good on this track. Adds that in contrast, his side did not execute their plans well with the ball. Praises India for their composed display with the bat especially Sharma, Rahane and Pandya. On their batting, mentions that they had a great platform. Credits Finch for his superb century. Ends by stating that they were not good enough in the slog overs and the pitch also slowed up a little.
21.25 IST:
21.23 IST:
21.16 IST: A terrific display from the Men in Blue and they have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series! Pinpoint yorker on the boots, Pandey manages to dig it out off the inner half to short fine leg. A run taken. Customary handshakes all around. The Indian camp is elated! A thoroughly well-deserved victory for the hosts. INDIA WIN BY 5 WICKETS WITH 13 BALLS TO SPARE.
21.14 IST: FOUR! Hit with a lot of power! Full length delivery outside off, Pandey cleans his front leg and tonks it over mid off for a one bounce boundary. India just one hit away from a win. IND 291/5 in 47.1 overs
Kane Richardson returns for a bowl. This might be the last over of the match.
21.13 IST: 2 runs from Maxwell's over, a good one for the visitors. IND 287/5 in 47 overs
21.09 IST: MS Dhoni walks out to bat. The crowd cheers for him loudly.
21.08 IST: OUT! A brilliant knock from Pandya ends! Fuller length delivery on off, Pandya looks to clear mid on but doesn't get the elevation he wanted. Richard stationed in that region takes a comfortable catch. A wicket arrives for Australia but perhaps too late. IND 284/5 in 45.5 overs, need 10 more to win
21.03 IST: FOUR! Fullish delivery on middle and leg, Pandya slogs it through wide mid on for a rocketing boundary. 18 runs from the over. IND 283/4 in 45 overs
21.01 IST: FOUR! Cheeky! Short delivery on middle, Pandya makes room and ramps it over the keeper's head for another boundary. IND 278/4 in 44.4 overs
21.00 IST: FOUR! India are racing towards a victory! Short delivery in line of the stumps, slower in pace. Pandey pulls it past short mid-wicket to find the fence. IND 273/3 in 44.2 overs
20.59 IST: FOUR! Length delivery around off, Pandya knows that there is no protection in the deep and goes for a heave. Drags it off the inner half over wide mid on for a boundary. Stoinis has a chat with Hardik but he doesn't pay any importance to it. IND 269/3 in 44.1 overs
20.58 IST: IND 265/4 in 44 overs
20.55 IST: FOUR! Drilled! Fuller length delivery on off, Pandya shuffles a touch and drives it hard down the ground. A lot of power in that shot and the ball races to the fence. IND 261/4 in 43.1 overs
20.54 IST: FOUR! Well played! Good length delivery outside off, Pandey clears his front leg and slaps it through covers. He has timed it well and he gets the desired result! 50-run stand comes up between the duo. It has come at a crucial stage. IND 257/4 in 43 overs
Bowling change. Stoinis is called back for another spell.
20.51 IST: 250 up for India. IND 250/4 in 42 overs
20.48 IST: FOUR! Another nervy moment but Pandya survives! Back of a length outside off, Pandya looks to force it through the covers but ends up getting a thick inside edge past the leg stump and through to the fence. Things are going India's way. IND 247/4 in 41.3 overs
Pat Cummins is back for another burst. Can he get Pandya out?
20.45 IST: A fraction short on off from Agar, Pandey makes use of the depth of the crease to block it. An expensive spell from Agar comes to an end. India need 51 runs from 54 balls. IND 243/4 in 41 overs
Powerplay 3 has been signalled by the umpire. Five fielders are now allowed outside the 30-yard circle.
20.42 IST: A stifled appeal for an LBW denied! Shortish delivery on off and middle, skids through after pitching and also stays a bit low. Pandya looks to pull it across but is hit near his stomach and the ball rolls towards point. A leg bye taken. 5 runs from the over. IND 240/4 in 40 overs
20.38 IST: FIFTY for Hardik Pandya! Fullish on off, Pandya whips it to long on to rotate strike. That brings up his 4th ODI fifty. He has survived once but has continued with his natural game. Perhaps that is the way he thrives. IND 235/4 in 39 overs
20.37 IST: SIX! When he hits them, they stay hit! Tossed up on middle, Pandya skips down the track and bludgeons it over long on for a maximum. Australia need his wicket desperately. IND 234/4 in 38.3 overs
20.35 IST: 10 runs from the over, another productive one for the hosts. IND 227/4 in 38 overs
20.33 IST: FOUR! Fractionally overpitched on off, Pandey drills it past the bowler for a rocketing boundary. Back-to-back fours for Manish Pandey, brilliant stuff from him. IND 226/4 om 37.3 overs
20.32 IST: FOUR! Back of a length ball on the hips, Pandey swipes it through fine leg for a boundary. IND 222/4 in 37.2 overs
Nathan Coulter-Nile is back into the attack.
20.30 IST: DROPPED! Australia have dropped a few catches tonight and that is not helping their cause. Floated on off, Pandya looks to slog it down the ground but squirts it off the outer half over extra cover. Smith lines it up, backpedals but misjudges it a bit. He has to dive full length, gets a hand to it but the ball pops out and falls on the ground. How costly will this prove? IND 217/4 in 37 overs
20.29 IST: FOUR! Shot! Half-tracker on middle, Pandya pulls it over mid-wicket to find the fence. IND 216/4 in 36.4 overs
20.28 IST: SIX! Bang! Shortish on middle and leg, Pandya pulls it over cow corner for a huge maximum. He plays his game no matter what the situation is. IND 212/4 in 36.2 overs
20.27 IST: A successful over comes to an end, a single and a wicket from it. IND 206/4 in 36 overs
Manish Pandey comes out to bat.
20.23 IST: OUT! Soft dismissal! He didn't needed to play such a stroke at this stage. Shortish delivery around off, Jadhav looks to cut it square of the wicket on the off side but only manages to get a faint nick. Handscomb behind the stumps who has had an ordinary day behind the stumps makes no mistake this time. IND 206/4 in 35.2 overs, need 88 more to win
20.20 IST: Rush of blood almost costs Jadhav his wicket! Tossed up on off, Jadhav dances down the track and goes for a slog but gets a thick inside edge. The ball goes past the stumps towards fine leg. Couple taken. IND 205/3 in 35 overs
20.19 IST: OUT! That's a big, big wicket! The chasemaster departs! Is it too late for Australia though? Floated on off, Kohli makes room and intends to go over extra cover. However, he ends up miscuing it towards wide long off. Finch stationed there bends and takes a good low catch to his left. IND 203/3 in 34.3 overs, need 91 more to win
20.16 IST: Richardson is bowling a tidy line and length here, four runs from his over. IND 202/2 in 34 overs
20.14 IST: Richardson bowls a good length delivery around off, Pandya places it to cover-point for a brisk single. 200 up for India and it is met with a huge cheer from the crowd. IND 200.2 in 33.3 overs, need 94 more to win
20.11 IST: Length delivery outside off from Stoinis, Hardik dabs it to the left of short third man for a single. That brings up the 50-run stand between Kohli and Pandya. It has been a sensible partnership. IND 198/2 in 33 overs
Time for a quick breather! Though India have lost two wickets, they are still cruising along. Kohli and Pandya, who has been promoted the order are ticking along nicely. The hosts need 101 runs from 108 balls with eight wickets in hand. Australia need breakthroughs desperately if they are come back into the contest.
20.05 IST: Tight over from Coulter-Nile, just two runs from it. IND 193/2 in 32 overs
20.01 IST: Kohli almost drags it on! Stoinis bowls a short ball on off, Kohli tries to pull but gets a bottom edge which goes over the stumps and on the bounce to Handscomb. IND 191/2 in 31 overs
19.57 IST: Slower ball outside off from Coulter-Nile, Kohli waits for the ball and guides it down to third man for a run. 3 runs from the over. IND 187/2 in 30 overs
Nathan Coulter-Nile is back into the attack. He already has one, Smith would want him to take one of these two out.
19.53 IST: Short ball on middle from Stoinis, Kohli walks across and pulls it gently down to fine leg for a run. Just four runs from the over. IND 184/2 in 29 overs
Marcus Stoinis is back into the attack.
19.48 IST: FOUR! Majestic! That was sublime. Fuller in length by Cummins on off. Kohli leans into it and drives it through the gap of extra covers and mid off for a boundary. IND 180/2 in 28 overs
19.45 IST: Things heating up in the middle. Handscomb has a chat with the umpires. He had exchanged some words with Pandya and it might be regarding that. Marais Erasmus goes to Pandya and has a conversation with him.
19.44 IST: Agar drags his length back outside off. Kohli cuts it through point for a run. Good over for the home side, 10 runs from it. IND 172/2 in 27 overs
19.41 IST: SIX! BOOM! Another one by Pandya! Agar has not learnt from his mistake in the last over. He bowls it full on middle this time. Pandya tonks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. IND 168/2 in 26.1 overs
19.40 IST: FOUR! Pure class! Cummins errs in line and bowls it on the leg stump. Kohli is too good to miss out on that. He flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary. IND 162/2 in 26 overs
19.36 IST: Pandya plays it with the angle towards mid-wicket for a run, 9 runs from the over. IND 157/2 in 25 overs
19.33 IST: SIX! You toss it up to him and he will go after you. Agar floats it on middle, Pandya sees the flight and goes over long on for a maximum. He won't be tossing it up again. 150 up for India. IND 154/2 in 24.1 overs
19.32 IST: Good length on off, Pandya gets an outside egde down to third man for a run. IND 148/2 in 24 overs
Surprise, surprise! It is Hardik Pandya who walks in at No. 4.
19.28 IST: OUT! There goes another one! Rahane departs now after playing a wonderful innings. The bowling change has worked wonders. Cummins comes running in and lands it on a length on off, the ball stays a touch low. Rahane tries to flick but is beaten by the low bounce and is struck on the pads. The Australians appeal and the umpire raises his finger. That looked plumb. Cummins is all pumped. Australia have a sniff over here after a couple of quick wickets. IND 147/2 in 23.3 overs, chasing 294
Pat Cummins comes back into the attack.
19.26 IST: Agar bowls an arm ball on middle. Kohli defends it off the front foot, 4 runs from the over. IND 145/1 in 23 overs
Good news for Australia! Ashton Agar is back on the field and he is straightaway going to bowl.
19.22 IST: Coulter-Nile angles it on the pads, Rahane flicks it through square leg for a couple. IND 141/0 in 22 overs
Virat Kohli is the next man in.
19.20 IST: OUT! Coulter-Nile strikes! Australia needed this wicket. Coulter-Nile bowls it short on middle, Rohit tries to pull but gets a top edge towards deep mid-wicket. Hilton Cartwright the substitute fielder stationed there gets under the ball and takes it comfortably. A brilliant innings by Rohit comes to an end. Can the visitors build on this wicket now? IND 139/1 in 21.4 overs, need 155 runs to win
19.18 IST: FOUR! Almost a catch there back to the bowler but instead it goes to the boundary. Coulter- Nile lands it on a length on off, thye ball stops a touch. Rahane closses the face of his bat early and it goes off the leading edge, uppishly past the bowler. He stikcs his hand out but is unable to catch it and the ball races to the fence. IND 138/0 in 21.1 overs
19.17 IST: Rahane guides the ball down to third man for a single, two runs from the over. IND 134/0 in 21 overs
19.13 IST: FOUR! Rahane is on the charge now! Nathan bowls it short on middle, it sits up to be hit. Rahane camps back and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. That went like a tracer bullet. IND 132/0 in 20 overs
19.10 IST:
19.09 IST: In the air... but safe! A good effort in the deep by Cummins. Shorter in length on off by Richardson. Rohit pulls it uppishly towards the mid-wicket boundary. Cummins in the deep runs to his left and does well to push the back in. They go upstairs to check and he has done fine there. Two runs taken by the batsmen. IND 126/0 in 19 overs
Kane Richardson is into the attack.
19.04 IST: Coulter-Nile again bowls it from wide of the crease and lands it on a length on off. The ball nips back in a touch. Rohit off the front foot guides it to point. IND 121/0 in 18 overs
19.02 IST: STAT ALERT - This is the first time since Nagpur, 2013 where India openers have both scored a fifty in an ODI chase against Australia.
19.01 IST: FOUR! Fifty up Rahane now. These two are going along their merry way here. A bowling change but no the same result. Nathan drifts it down the leg side, Rahane flicks it fine down the leg side for a boundary. IND 120/0 in 17.2 overs
18.57 IST: Dropped! The woes continue for Australia. Good length delivery outside off, Sharma aims to guide it to third man but gets a thick outside edge. Handscomb behind the wickets dives full length to his right, gets hid right glove to it but fails to hold on. IND 116/0 in 17 overs
18.55 IST: Oh dear! Ashton Agar has just hurt his little finger of his bowling hand. Not good signs here. He is in a lot of pain and he is walking off the field. Hilton Cartwright comes as his substitute.
18.54 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Shortish in line of the stumps, Sharma pulls it in a controlled manner through in front of square leg. Agar from deep mid-wicket hares to his right, slides but fails to prevent the boundary. He seems to have done damage to his right hand, perhaps has split his webbing. IND 114/0 in 16.3 overs
18.53 IST: FOUR! No better place to hit a ball than down the ground. Fullish in length on off, Sharma leans ahead and lifts it straight as an arrow to pick up another boundary. IND 110/0 in 16.2 overs
18.52 IST:
18.51 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings! Back of a length ball around the hips, Rahane swivels a touch and swipes it through backward square leg for a rocketing boundary. IND 106/0 in 16 overs
Marcus Stoinis is back into the attack.
18.47 IST: FOUR! 100 up for India. Hit powerfully! A bit short on off, Rahane rocks back and pulls it uppishly towards Maxwell at short mid-wicket. He leaps to his right but the ball goes past him in a flash and through to the fence. IND 100/0 in 15 overs
18.44 IST: FOUR! Shot! Fraction short around off, spinning away. Sharma cuts it through point. Coulter-Nile in the deep runs to his left, dives full length but fails to prevent the boundary. He landed awkwardly and holds his head in pain. Thankfully, he is alright. IND 94/0 in 14.1 overs
18.43 IST: Fullish on middle and leg from Richardson, Rohit milks it down to long on for a run - 6 runs from the over. IND 90/0 in 14 overs
18.39 IST: SIX! Rohit completes his half-century in style with a huge maximum. Boom! Tossed up delivery in line of the stumps, Sharma is nimble on his feet and smokes it over long on for a biggie. That brings up his 33rd ODI fifty, his fastest. It has been a flawless knock from him. Australia need to get him out quickly or else, they will find it really difficult to come back into the contest. IND 84/0 in 13 overs
18.36 IST: Good over from Richardson, just three runs from it. IND 77/0 in 12 overs
Kane Richardson is back on. Smith is shuffling around his bowlers in search of a wicket.
18.32 IST: 6 runs from Agar's first over. IND 74/0 in 11 overs
18.32 IST: STAT ALERT - This is the first time Rahane & Rohit have put on fifty-plus for the opening stand in ODIs.
Powerplay 2 has been signalled by the umpire. Maximum of four fielders will be allowed the 30-yard circle till the 40th over. Time for some spin now. Ashton Agar is introduced into the attack.
18.30 IST: FOUR! Well placed! Back of a length outside off, Rahane guides it through the gap between short third man and backward point to get another boundary to his name. IND 68/0 in 10 overs
18.28 IST: FOUR! Easy pickings! Good length delivery on the hips, Rahane tucks it over backward square leg and the ball races to the fence. IND 64/0 in 9.4 overs
18.26 IST: FOUR! Not convincing but he will take it! Skips down the track to a length delivery on off, aims to hit it over mid on but gets it off the inner half past short mid-wicket. A boundary results. Rahane looks much better when he plays conventional strokes. IND 60/0 in 9.2 overs
18.25 IST: Another productive over for the hosts, 9 runs from it. IND 55/0 in 9 overs
18.22 IST: SIX! 50 up for India in style. Into the Orbit! Such power in that hit that it has travelled 103 meters. Sharma shimmies a touch and Richardson opts to bowl a short ball on middle and leg. It sits up nicely for Sharma. He pulls it with aplomb over deep backward square leg for a huge maximum. That has gone out of the ground. Fetch another ball, umpires. IND 52/0 in 8.3 overs
18.20 IST: Short and width on offer from Stoinis. Ajinkya slaps it towards deep point. Agar runs across from sweeper cover, bends and makes a good stop. Saves a couple for his side. IND 46/0 in 8 overs
Marcus Stoinis comes for a bowl.
18.15 IST: FOUR! Sheer Class! Fraction short on off, Sharma in his customary manner presses forward and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. IND 42/0 in 7 overs
18.13 IST: DROPPED and FOUR! A very tough chance to be honest! Shortish and room on offer, Sharma cuts it fiercely towards Maxwell at backward point. He dives full length to his left, gets a hand to it but the ball bursts through. Sharma picks up another boundary. IND 38/0 in 6.2 overs
Kane Richardson comes into the attack. He did a good job in the last game and the same will be expected from him tonight.
18.12 IST: SIX! This is special from Rohit! What clean hitting from the elegant opener. Fullish delivery on off, Sharma leans ahead and lifts it over long off. He has timed so well and the ball clears the fence with ease. IND 34/0 in 6 overs
18.09 IST: FOUR! Timing at its best! Fuller in length on the pads, Sharma clips it nonchalantly through mid-wicket and the ball whistles away to the boundary. Michael Clarke on-air says that Rohit makes batting so easy when he plays such shots. IND 27/0 in 5.2 overs
18.08 IST: Tad too straight from Cummins, Rohit works it away backward of square on the on-side for a single. 8 runs from the over. IND 23/0 in 5 overs
18.06 IST: SIX! What a shot! Cummins opt to bowl a short delivery on off, Sharma transfers his weight on the front foot and pulls it with authority over deep backward square leg for a mammoth maximum. That was so well timed, a delight to watch when he plays such shots. IND 22/0 in 4.3 overs
18.03 IST: Leg bye! Straying on the leg stump, Rahane looks to clip it away but is struck on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batsmen take a run. IND 15/0 in 4 overs
18.01 IST: FOUR! Aggression from Rahane! Cross-seam delivery from Coulter-Nile on a good length around off. Ajinkya skips down the track and goes inside out over covers to find the fence. First boundary of the innings. IND 12/0 in 3.3 overs
17.59 IST: Brilliant over from Cummins, he's giving nothing away at the moment. IND 8/0 in 3 overs
17.55 IST: Two Wides! Slips this one down the leg side, Sharma fails to clip it through. The bounce is low as Handscomb bends to his left to collect it but doesn't do it cleanly. The batsmen sneak in another extra run. IND 7/0 in 2 overs
Nathan Coulter-Nile to bowl with the second new ball from the other end.
17.51 IST: Almost chopped it on! On a length in the zone of apprehension, stays a bit low. Sharma hops to block it but gets a thick inside edge past his leg stump. Rahane calls him through for a run. Agar hares across to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. IND 2/0 in 1 over
17.47 IST: Good start from Cummins! Length delivery on middle, a bit of away swing on offer. Rahane gets squared up a touch and defends it. IND 0/0 in 0.1 overs
17.45 IST: We are back for the chase. Out come the men who matter in the middle. Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane to open the batting for India. Pat Cummins to take the first new ball for Australia. Two slips in place. Here we go...
17.31 IST: The wicket is playing well but there is some assistance for the bowlers. The home side will back themselves to chase this down. The tourists will have to bowl really well in order to defend this score to stay alive in the series.
AUSTRALIA Innings
17.20 IST:
17.15 IST:
17.06 IST: Good length around off from Bumrah, Stoinis pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. AUSTRALIA FINISH ON 293/6 in 50 overs!
17.04 IST: FOUR! Smart batting! Bumrah bowls it around leg, Agar gets across and swings it wide of short fine leg for a boundary. AUS 290/6 in 49.4 overs
17.03 IST: Back-to-back WIDES from Bumrah! Slants one around middle and leg, Stoinis shuffles and fails to clip it through. AUS 283/6 in 49.1 overs
17.01 IST: Another brilliant over from Bhuvneshwar, just 5 runs from it. AUS 281/6 in 49 overs
16.59 IST: Dead ball as Kumar slips one out of his hands.
16.57 IST: Ashton Agar walks out to bat.
16.56 IST: OUT! Ice cool stuff by Pandey! Fuller in length outside off, Handscomb walks down the wicket and goes through with his lofted shot. Pandey at long off, gets under it and takes the catch. He spots that he is going over the ropes and hence throws it up in the air. Comes back in and completes the catch. The umpire refers it upstairs to be sure. Replays confirm that it was a clean catch and hence Peter has to go back. Bumrah has two wickets. AUS 276/6 in 48 overs
16.55 IST: Umpires are going upstairs to check whether Manish Pandey has taken the catch cleanly at the long off boundary. It did look clean and if he has taken it, it is a stunning one. Peter Handscomb is the man in question.
16.49 IST: FOUR! Powerful! Yorker on middle from Bhuvneshwar, Stoinis just stands tall and clobbers it down the ground for a boundary. That was hit too well and hence Pandya from long off could not cut it off. AUS 272/5 in 47 overs
16.44 IST: Yorker just outside off from Bumrah, pushed towards mid-off. The fielder does well to not allow the run as Stoinis was keen on it. Pandey was the man there, 4 runs and a wicket from the over. AUS 263/5 in 46 overs
Peter Handscomb is the new man in.
16.41 IST: OUT! Timber! Slower one around middle, Head plays all around this one and is bowled all ends up. The wickets keep coming for India. Head has to walk back to the hut now. Bumrah has a wicket. AUS 260/5 in 45.3 overs
16.38 IST: Fuller outside off from Bhuvi, Stoinis drives to long off for a single. 4 runs from the over. AUS 259/4 in 45 overs
16.34 IST: NOT OUT! Stoinis survives! Kumar hurls it around off, Marcus gets across and turns it towards the leg side for a single. The bowler is appealing for an lbw but nothing by the umpire. The Indians are confident and go for the review. Replays show that it was indeed pad first but the impact was outside the line and hence he survives. AUS 255/4 in 44.1 overs
16.33 IST: A review against Stoinis by India. That looks like pad first but is it in line?
Time for a change, Bhuvneshwar Kumar brought back on.
16.32 IST: Flatter around middle from Kuldeep, nudged through square leg for a single. Kuldeep has been expensive but has taken two vital wickets for his side. 10 runs from the over. AUS 255/4 in 44 overs
16.29 IST: SIX! Dispatched! Fuller outside off from Kuldeep, Stoinis gets under it and launches it over long off for a maximum. 250 up for Australia! AUS 252/4 in 43.2 overs
16.28 IST: Tossed up wide outside off, Stoinis is not Maxwell and does not fall for it. Left alone. End of a good spell by Chahal. His figures read 10-0-54-1! AUS 245/4 in 43 overs
Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat. Australia's hitters continue to come along.
16.25 IST: OUT! Chahal is laughing as Maxwell is stumped. Bowls it wide outside off expecting a charge. Maxwell throws himself at it but cannot connect. Dhoni does the rest and the promotion has not worked for the Australians. Michael Hussey on-air is absolutely livid with Glenn for falling for the bait like that. Two in two for India! AUS 243/4 in 42.1 overs
Travis Head is the new man in.
16.23 IST: OUT! Kuldeep strikes again! Bowls the wrong one around off, Smith comes down the wicket looking to go big but miscues it completely. Bumrah gets under it at long off and takes it safely. Smith knew he had not hit that well and now has to depart. Indians have managed to pull things back a touch. Two wickets for Kuldeep and he will be happy with them. AUS 243/3 in 42 overs
Kuldeep returns for his final spell. Maxwell has often him around so it will be a challenge.
16.18 IST: Indian bowlers are building up the pressure after Finch's dismissal, good over from Chahal. AUS 236/2 in 41 overs
Powerplay 3 has been signalled by the umpire. Five fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings.
16.15 IST: Tight over from Bumrah, 2 runs came off it. AUS 234/2 in 40 overs
Bumrah is back for a bowl.
16.11 IST: FOUR! Streaky runs! Slower delivery on a fullish length outside off, Smith looks to force it through but gets a thick outside edge through the vacant slip region for a boundary. AUS 232/2 in 39 overs
Glenn Maxwell strides out to bat. This is an ideal stage for him to showcase his big-hitting abilities.
16.08 IST: OUT! Finch departs after a tremendous knock! Tossed up delivery and on a fullish length on off, Finch clears his front leg and heaves it over mid-wicket. He has got the power behind it but not the elevation. Kedar Jadhav in the deep bends and pouches it safely. For one moment, it seemed that he has dropped it but it was because his handkerchief fell down. Relief for India finally. They need to chip away at the wickets. AUS 224/2 in 38 overs
16.03 IST: FIFTY for Australia Captain! Pandya goes wide of the crease and angles in a full length delivery to Smith. He goes across but seems to have got an inside edge onto his pads. The Indians appeal but the umpire stays put. The ball rolls to short fine leg and the batsmen take a run. That brings up his 19th ODI fifty. Sensible knock from the Australia skipper so far! AUS 221/1 in 37 overs
16.02 IST: 150-run partnership between Finch and Smith. AUS 221/1 in 27 overs
15.58 IST: SIX! Miscues from Finch are going the distance! Floated on middle, Finch goes hard at it and mistimes it down the ground. However, the ball sails over long on. AUS 216/1 in 36 overs
15.55 IST:
Time for Drinks. Great batting from Finch and Smith. They are providing the perfect platform for the middle order to capitalize upon. The pitch has eased out now. The visitors will know that they need a big score to test the famed Indian batting line-up.
15.52 IST: AUS 206/1 in 35 overs
15.51 IST: FOUR! Shot! Short delivery on off, sits up nicely for Finch. He stands tall and pulls it with aplomb over mid-wiclet. No protection in the deep and he gets the desired result! AUS 205/1 in 34.4 overs
15.49 IST: 200 up for Australia.
15.46 IST: SIX! Stand and deliver! Tossed up on off, Finch clears his front leg and tonks it over long on for a huge maximum. Dangerous signs for India. AUS 197/1 in 34 overs
15.44 IST: FOUR! Well played, Finch! What a brilliant knock it has been. Floated around leg stump, Finch kneels and sweeps it hard through fine leg for a boundary. He is ecstatic and pumps his fist in the air. This is his 8th ODI ton, truly well-deserved! After coming back from an injury, it is not easy to play such an innings. AUS 191/1 in 33.2 overs
15.43 IST: Good length delivery outside off from Pandya, Aaron camps back and punches it through backward point. Takes on Chahal in the deep and comes back for the second with ease. AUS 186/1 in 33 overs
Hardik Pandya is back on. India need wickets.
15.39 IST: Interesting observation from Sanjay Manjrekar. Kuldeep's fastest ball is at 83.3 kph, while that of Chahal is 90 kph. The slowness through the air is what has not helped him so far and Manjrekar informs that it has been an issue with Yadav.
15.39 IST: Floated in line of the stumps, Finch puts his head down and defends it calmly. Four runs from Kuldeep's over. AUS 183/1 in 32 overs
15.36 IST: Fullish on middle and leg from Chahal, Finch eases it to long on for a run. 8 runs from the over. AUS 179/1 in 31 overs
15.33 IST: FOUR! Well played! Australia are talking the attack to the opposition. Tossed up on off, Smith uses his feet and clip it uppishly over mid-wicket to find the fence. AUS 175/1 in 30.1 overs
15.33 IST: 100-run stand up between Finch and Smith. FOUR! Bludgeoned! Floated on off, Finch hammers it through mid off and the ball rockets to the fence. 12 from the over. AUS 171/1 in 30 overs
15.32 IST: SIX! Not hit from the meat off the bat but these short boundaries are helping Australia! Floated on leg stump, Finch backs away and goes inside out towards long off. Bumrah near the fence is interested but can only see it sail over his head. AUS 167/1 in 29.5 overs
David Warner talked about playing the Indian spinners well before the game and they have done that well so far. He blamed the situations for the collapses and till now, they have ensured that there aren't many bad shots played.
15.30 IST: FOUR! Hit with a lot of authority! A fraction short on off, Finch rocks back and pulls it hard towards Jadeja (sub) at short mid-wicket. He dives to his right but the ball goes past him in a flash and races to the fence. AUS 159/1 in 29 overs
Dhoni now has a word with Kuldeep. He has strayed on the pads far too often and hence not been threatening enough. Spin in tandem now. Yuzvendra Chahal to roll his arm again.
15.27 IST: Around the leg stump again from Kuldeep, not the correct line to bowl. Flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run, 7 runs came off the over. AUS 153/1 in 28 overs
15.25 IST: 150 up for Australia. AUS 150/1 in 27.2 overs
Kuldeep Yadav is back on.
15.23 IST: Good length ball outside off from Bhuvneshwar, Smith places it through point for a run. 9 runs from the over, a good one for the visitors. AUS 146/1 in 27 overs
15.22 IST: SIX! Brilliant! Overpitched on off, perhaps the slower one again. Finch knows that mid off is inside the ring and picks his spot. Strikes it cleanly over the long off fence for a maximum. He is playing really well. AUS 144/1 in 26.4 overs
15.18 IST: Similar in length around off from Bumrah, Finch lunges forward and defends it nicely. Just 2 runs from the over. AUS 137/1 in 26 overs
15.15 IST: Another bowling change. Jasprit Bumrah comes back for a bowl. Virat Kohli is searching for wickets.
15.14 IST: Shorter in length outside off from Bhuvi, Finch tries to guide it down to third man but gets a bottom edge on the off side for a run. AUS 135/1 in 25 overs
15.11 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back into the attack. India need him to get the break through here.
15.10 IST: 4 runs from the over. AUS 130/1 in 24 overs
15.08 IST: FOUR! Exquisite! Best of the lot! Fuller in length around off, Finch leans into it and drives it beautifully through the cover region for a boundary. AUS 126/1 in 23 overs
15.06 IST: FOUR! Smith won't be missing out on these kind of deliveries. Pandya bowls it fuller on the pads. Smith flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary. Fifty-partnership up between the duo. AUS 121/1 in 22.3 overs
Change of ends for Hardik Pandya.
15.03 IST: Shorter in length on off from Kuldeep, Smith punches it through the off side for a run. 7 runs from the over. AUS 117/1 in 22 overs
15.01 IST: FOUR! Kuldeep tosses it up on leg stump. Finch goes down on one knee and paddles it very, very fine, so fine that Dhoni who moved to his left was beaten on his right and the ball races to the fence. AUS 115/1 in 21.2 overs
Bowling change. Kuldeep Yadav to bowl now. He was terrific in the previous game. Can he weave his magic again?
14.59 IST: FIFTY for Aaron Finch! FOUR! BOOM! That was hit really hard! Chahal bowls a tossed up ball on middle, Finch bludgeons it down the ground for a boundary. Fifty on return for the big man. He has really batted well here. AUS 110/1 in 20.3 overs
14.58 IST: FOUR! Chahal fires it on the pads, Finch flicks it fine down the leg side. Bumrah from short fine leg gives it a chase, dives but fails to pull the ball back in. A boundary conceded. AUS 106/1 in 20.1 overs
14.56 IST:
14.57 IST: Brilliant, brilliant effort by Pandey! Pandya bowls it on a length around off. Finch drives it towards the cover region and sets off for a run. Manish there dives and makes a brilliant stop but is unable to score a direct hit. The batsmen complete a run. Had he hit Finch was a out. AUS 102/1 in 20 overs
14.55 IST: 100 up for Australia. AUS 100/1 in 19.3 overs
14.54 IST: STREAKY FOUR! Finch won't mind. Pandya bowls it on a length outside off. Aaron tries to drive it on the up but gets an outside edge through the vacant slip cordon for a boundary. AUS 99/1 in 19.2 overs
14.53 IST: FOUR! He uses his feet ever so well! He has looked busy since he has come out. Chahal tosses it up on middle. Smith seeing the flight dances down the track and flicks it past the diving mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. AUS 95/1 in 19 overs
14.51 IST: Tight over from Pandya, 3 runs from the over. AUS 90/1 in 18 overs
14.48 IST: What was that now? Pandya bowls a full toss, a high full toss you can say outside off. Finch tries to hit it through the off side but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler. He immediately looks at the square leg umpire for a no-ball but it is not given. AUS 87/1 in 17.2 overs
MS Dhoni has a chat with Virat Kohli. Might be regarding the field placements. Fine leg is inside the circle now.
14.46 IST: Chahal tries to bowl it quicker and ends up serving a full toss on leg stump. Finch drives it down to long on for a run, 8 runs from the over. AUS 87/1 in 17 overs
14.44 IST: SIX! Effortless by the big man! Such is the power of Finch. Chahal bowls a google on middle. He just bowls it a tad full. Finch picks it well and lofts it over the long on fence for a maximum. AUS 86/1 in 16.3 overs
DRINKS! So Australia are off to a decent start. Warner and Finch started off really well but as David tries to take the attack to the bowlers he was dismissed by Pandya. Both the teams will be happy with how things have panned out in the first hour.
14.40 IST: Fuller in length on off from Pandya, Smith takes a step ahead and drives it confidently towards mid off for a run. AUS 79/1 in 16 overs
14.36 IST: Another tidy over from the young leggie Chahal, three from it. AUS 76/1 in 15 overs
14.33 IST: FOUR! What a way to get off the mark. Pandya bowls it on the middle. Trying to get Smith LBW but he is upto for it. He flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep dives but in vain and the ball crosses the boundary. AUS 74/1 in 14 overs
Steven Smith, the skipper is the next man in. With the opening pair having provided a solid start, he needs to capitalize on it.
14.30 IST: OUT! Hardik draws first blood! A much-needed wicket here for the Indians. Pandya bowls an off cutter on middle. It cuts away after pitching. Warner tries to defend but gets beaten and the ball hits the top of middle. A big wicket for India. Warner was looking dangerous. A nice opening partnership comes to an end. AUS 70/1 in 13.3 overs
14.28 IST: FOUR! Sloppy from Jadhav! That should have been stopped. A touch fuller in length on off, Pandya pushes it towards the right of mid off. Kedar there runs towards the ball but dives over it and concedes a boundary. Warner is on the charge here. AUS 70/0 in 13.1 overs
Warner and Finch take a bit of a breather. It is really hot, the visitors will be tested once again.
14.27 IST: Chahal floats it up on off, Warner eases it down to long of for a run. Good over for the Aussies, 11 runs from the over. AUS 66/0 in 13 overs
14.25 IST: SIX! BANG! A flat maximum. Chahal tosses it up on off, Warner hits it over the bowlers head and over the fence for a biggie. AUS 63/0 in 12.3 overs
14.24 IST: Fuller in length on off from Pandya, Warner lungs forward and pushes it to mid off. Calls for a run immediately taking on Chahal. Good judgement as the batsmen complete it with ease. 3 runs from Pandya's first over. AUS 55/0 in 12 overs
Another bowling change. Hardik Pandya to bowl now.
14.19 IST: Tidy over from Chahal, just three came off it. AUS 52/0 in 11 overs
14.16 IST: NOT OUT! The dive saves Finch. Warner plays it toward mid-wicket with the spin and sets off for a run. Kohli is quick to the ball and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. He is confident and appeals. The umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Finch has made his ground in time. His calf was tested there. A good run in the end. It was difficult for Kohli as it was hit to his left which is not his throwing hand. Also, this brings up the fifty for Australia. AUS 50/0 in 10.1 overs
14.16 IST: Direct hits are always close and there is one at the striker's end by Kohli. The umpire goes upstairs. The Indians feel Finch is short of his ground.
Powerplay 2 has been signalled by the umpire. Four fielders will be allowed outside the circle till the 40th over. Yuzvendra Chahal to roll his arm over now. A slip in place.
14.15 IST:
14.14 IST: Bumrah comes around the wicket and bowls it on a length around off. Warner pushes it towards covers and takes off for a run. The fielder there has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. The fielder who is backing up misfields and the batsman take two over throws. Three in total. Another decent over for Australia, 6 runs from it. AUS 49/0 in 10 overs
MS Dhoni has a word with Kumar as the latter goes to his fielding position. He didn't quite hit the lengths India may have needed him to. Australia have got off to a good start here.
14.11 IST: Kumar comes running in and lands it on a length on off, Warner defends it solidly towards cover. Good comeback from Bhuvi after conceding boundary on the first two balls. AUS 43/0 in 9 overs
14.07 IST: FOUR! This is beautiful by Warner! Kumar does not bowl a bad delivery here. He bowls it tad fuller in length on off. Warner leans into it and drives it through the gap between extra cover and mid off for a boundary. An excellent start here for Australia. AUS 43/0 in 8.2 overs
14.06 IST: FOUR! Signs of Kumar getting tired? He angles it on the pads. Warner flicks it towards short fine leg. Kuldeep there dives to his right but fails to stop it and the ball races to the fence. Yadav should have put in a better effort there. AUS 39/0 in 8.1 overs
14.05 IST: FOUR! Finch gets a boundary off Bumrah. Not where he intended to but runs are runs. Bumrah bowls it full on the pads, Finch manages to flick it uppishly but wide of short fine leg for a boundary. AUS 35/0 in 8 overs
14.01 IST: Bhuvneshwar gives away 2 runs in his 4th over. AUS 26/0 in 7 overs
13.57 IST: Good over from Bumrah, just a single off it. AUS 24/0 in 6 overs
13.53 IST: FOUR! Warner collects a boundary off Bhuvneshwar. Poor line! Warner won't miss out on those. Kumar bowls a freebie on the pads. Warner flicks it fine down the leg side for a boundary. AUS 23/0 in 5 overs
13.49 IST: FOUR! Little bit of width on offer from Bumrah and Finch hits it towards deep extra cover. Lovely shot! A touch fuller in length on off by Bumrah. Finch leans into it and drives it through covers. The outfield is lightning fast and the ball races to the fence. AUS 17/0 in 4 overs
13.47 IST: FOUR! First boundary of the Australian innings from Finch off Bumrah. Bumrah bowls it fuller in length around off, Finch tries to drive but gets an outside edge through the vacant slip region for a boundary. First boundary for Australia.
13.45 IST: Another great over from Bhuvneshwar - just a single! AUS 7/0 in 3 overs
13.39 IST: Bumrah gives away 3 runs. AUS 6/0 in 2 overs
13.35 IST: Bumrah to share the new ball with Bhuvi.
13.34 IST: Good start from Bhuvneshwar, just runs off the first over. AUS 2/0 in 1 over
13.32 IST: In the air... but just wide! Kumar bowls a back of a length ball outside off, Warner plays it away from his body uppishly towards backward point. Pandey there dives full stretch to his right but could not reach it and the ball goes to third man for a run.
13.28 IST: Australian openers Aaron Finch and David Warner are out on the field. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start the proceedings for India
13.25 IST: Both the teams have lined up for the National Anthems.
13.20 IST: Meanwhile, former India opener and India TV's cricket expert, Virender Sehwag, said Virat Kohli and Co. will sweep series 5-0. Watch video here.
13.15 IST: Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli (C), Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith (C), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Peter Handscomb (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson
13.05 IST: Captain's Corner
Steve Smith: "We are going to bat. I don't read wickets too well, hopefully we can post a good total. The next three games are must-win for us. Finch and Handscomb are playing in place of Cartwright and Wade. We are trying to strengthen the middle-order a little bit, hopefully we can step up today."
Virat Kohli: "We would have batted first as well. The pitch could play better for the batsmen under lights, maybe it will be a little slow during the day when it is dry. We are playing the same team."
13.00 IST: TOSS! Australia win toss, opt to bat vs India in Indore.
12.55 IST: Pitch Report
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes Indore pitch is an absolute belter and both teams will look to bat after winning the toss.
12.45 IST: India's new-found spin-twins Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have racked up 10 wickets together in the series so far and will once again be skipper Virat Kohli's go-to men in the middle overs.
Australia have found it hard to solve the mystery around chinaman Kuldeep, who on Thursday became the first Indian spinner to score a hat-trick in 50 overs cricket.
12.40 IST: On the other hand, India are currently on an eight-match winning run, and hold an upper hand at Indore, where the men-in-blue have a 100 percent winning record (won all four of their matches so far).
Surprisingly the credit of No.1-ranked India's success in the ongoing series goes more to the bowlers, who have managed to defend scores of 164 (revised target in 21 overs) and 252 in the first two matches.
12.35 IST: On a 10-match overseas losing streak, the Steve Smith-led side will have their task cut out and face a must-win situation to have a chance at the trophy.
12.30 IST: After overpowering Australia in the opening two games, a dominant India will aim to pocket the five-match One Day International (ODI) series when they face the Kangaroos in the third game at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday.
Brief Preview: Packed with an incisive bowling attack, confident India would look to pile on the misery for a struggling Australia and seal the five-match series when they clash in the third ODI on Sunday. It was no small task for Virat Kohli and his men to defend a modest 252 on the Eden Garden wicket, which despite being a two-paced track favoured the batsmen.favoured the batsmen.
The hosts have their bowling combination working superbly for them. The swing master Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have made the Australian top-order look ordinary while the wrist spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal has made the Kangaroos dance to their tunes.
Australia's plight could easily be gauged from the fact that eight of their batsmen could not touch double-digit scores in Chennai, while only four of them could score more than 10 runs in Kolkata.
India have surely taken a giant step for yet another series win, but the team has allowed the Australian to create a few openings that could have proved detrimental if there were not some rescue acts. (Read Full Preview Here)
